Shiitake Mushroom Log Kit

How much does this item weigh?

Verified reply from Angelica

The Shiitake Mushroom Log Kit is 5 lbs.

We just received this and would like to use it outside. Is it okay to soak it and put it outside if it freezes at night? Also, the instruction sheet referred to FAQs at the end, but I don't see any. Thank you!

Verified reply from Michelle

Hi! That's a great question! And yes! According to the vendor: "These mushroom logs will take a nice long nap during the winter months. Once the weather breaks, the logs will wake up and be ready to fruit!

We received a gift of a Shiitake Log last summer. The metal tag says May 2022. We soaked it and put it in a shady area in our backyard, etc for the summer and fall. It has frozen here lately and will continue to freeze and snow until next spring. Do we have to bring our log into the basement for the winter or is it okay to leave out in the snow and cold all winter? Thanks for clarification.

Verified reply from Cassandre

Thanks for your question! No need to bring the mushroom log inside during the winter. Snow and/or ice will not hurt it and it will take a nice long nap during the winter months. Once the weather breaks, the logs will wake up and be ready to fruit!

So we live in sunny L.A. with a hot sunny balcony, now that I have this, I'm not sure where we can put it that would be shady, do I just put inside near a window?

Verified reply from Amy

We suggest reading through these directions if you haven't already: https://www.uncommongoods.com/pdf/LogCare.pdf The makers recommend a dark or shady spot, so by a window is probably not preferable!

I received my shitake log for Christmas; i've had it out of the box and wrapping, just sitting on the kitchen counter. We live in CO so its winter. Have been reading instructions and Q&A. Its sounds like for now I can put it in a damp, cool and dark place. Thinking of putting it in the crawl space, but it's not damp. If i put a paper towel on the plate, set the log on end and keep the towel wet, will that be enough to keep it damp til spring? Or should I start tenting it?

Verified reply from Amy

Hi Susan! We checked in with the maker and they suggest the following: It is best if you can set the log outside in a roughly 85% shady location. Taking into consideration winter conditions in CO, if you are in an area with snow and cold, it will not hurt the log and is a very suitable way to store it until spring.

I'm finding the instructions very unclear. My logs are young, so it seems i need to soak them every six weeks, but how do i know then when they are ready to sprout? Also, am i not supposed to put them in the fridge after soaking? Most importantly, am i supposed to cover them in plastic as step 5 indicates after soaking, or only after the final soaking? the instructions indicate they'll sprout soon after, but the info about the young log says that won't happen for several months, so I'm left very confused. Please let me know; I hope by soaking them now I haven't ruined them when i was just trying to follow instructions.

Verified reply from Leslie

Hi there! Per the artist, you don’t need to do anything to the log except keep it out of the sun and away from heat sources. The mycelium needs time to colonize the log (this can take 6 months to a year). Once the log has fully colonized, then you can begin the soaking process. And you didn’t ruin the log by soaking it, so no worries there.

Hi - I just purchased this for my sister for Christmas. I do not want to begin the soaking process for another month and a half once she receives the log. How should I store this until Christmas?

Verified reply from Amy

That is fine and very common this time of year with the holidays! Just make sure you store it in a cool, dry area.

We live in New York and received a log as a Christmas gift. Is it OK to place the log in our basement to store it for the winter and then soak it in the spring to place outside? I was going to store it in the garage as recommended but it does get below freezing out there. Will freezing temperatures during storage hurt our harvest? Thank you.

Verified reply from Darren

No, these mushroom logs will take a nice long nap during the winter months. Once the weather breaks, the logs will wake up and be ready to fruit! You can also refer to the instructions found here: https://www.uncommongoods.com/pdf/LogCare.pdf.

can i just put it outside in the snow all winter?

Verified reply from Allison

No. Mushrooms grow best in temperatures between 55 and 60 degrees F,

Hi - I saw the answer to take the log out to store for christmas gift, just want to confirm that I wouldn't need to start the soaking process but am able to take it out and box and then re-box to ship it across the country after wrapping.

Verified reply from Harmony

It is best for you to take the log out of the box in order for it to breathe. You can wait many months before soaking. Just keep the log in a shady location or a garage.